Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Everton

It was a case of daylight robbery at Ewood Park this afternoon as a last-minute Mikel Arteta spot-kick stole all three points - this after Blackburn duo Hoilett and Formica had both been unsuccessful with penalties of their own.

Everton have goalkeeper Tim Howard to thank for the undeserved victory - the American custodian saved the first spot-kick, saw the second hit the post and made a number of crucial saves to deny Rovers.

Everton had performed very poorly throughout but referee Lee Mason handed us a golden opportunity to punish Blackburn for their missed chances in the dying moments. Marouane Fellaini was felled in the aftermath of a Phil Neville long throw and Mason pointed to the spot for the third time in the game.

Spaniard Arteta kept a cool head under huge pressure to send the travelling support behind the goal into delirium. A performance as bad as I can remember but a fantastic result.

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David Moyes named a 4-5-1 formation with the line lead by lone striker and midweek goalscorer Victor Anichebe. Tim Howard, rested for Wednesday's win over Sheffield United, took up his usual goalkeeping position behind the regular back four of Leighton Baines, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka and Phil Neville.

A five man midfield consisted of Ross Barkley, Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman, John Heitinga and Mikel Arteta with Victor Anichebe on his own up front. Louis Saha was not included in the squad - which, I assume, is down to injury - and Jermaine Beckford and Tim Cahill were left on the bench. Jack Rodwell missed out due to illness.

The first half was a totally drab affair notable only for David Dunn's shot, which hit the inside of Howard's right hand post and bounced agonisingly across goal to safety.

Everton's best moment of the opening period was Leon Osman's header from Ross Barkley's right-wing cross, although it failed to trouble Paul Robinson in the Blackburn goal.

David Dunn and Morten Gamst Pedersen both suffered injuries for the hosts, with Mauro Formica and Radosav Petrovic both having to be introduced before half-time.

Half-time: Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Everton

Whilst the first period was a frankly dreadful watch, the second was a bizarre one. Everton started after the interval as if they had just woken up, and conceded a penalty in the first minute after half-time.

Ross Barkley slipped inside the area and Mauro Formica fell over the youngster's trailing leg. Formica certainly made a concerted effort to fall over the outstretched limb but referee Mason didn't hesitate in pointing to the spot.

Tim Howard made a great penalty save low to his left hand side from Junior Hoilett and Everton somehow managed to clear the danger. Undeterred, Blackburn kept on coming and the visitors were struggling to get out of their own half.

The relentless pressure created a few good chances for Blackburn but each time Tim Howard was up to the task. Instinctive saves from Samba and then Formica kept Everton level - although the pressure culminated in another penalty just a few minutes later.

Formica won it after a combination of Jagielka and Distin bundled him over and the same player stepped up to take it. Formica went the opposite way to Hoilett and had Howard beaten... but not the post.

David Moyes withdrew Ross Barkley in favour of the vastly experienced Tim Cahill, a substitution that helped Everton push further forward. Leighton Baines stung the hands of Paul Robinson with a fierce shot from an acute angle.

The same player then turned provider as he teed up Marouane Fellaini, who should really have hit the target with an effort from the edge of the penalty area.

However, Everton were soon on the back foot again and Howard had to be alert to save from Formica. We were hanging on to a point as substitute David Goodwillie then saw his effort clip the top of the crossbar after Formica and Hoilett had carved open our defence with worrying ease.

In stoppage time Everton were awarded a spot-kick of their own when, following a long throw by captain Phil Neville, Chris Samba bundled over Marouane Fellaini just inside the area. It was a dubious penalty but we did not care a jot.

Mikel Arteta, who had looked off the pace in midfield, stepped up, kept composed and rifled the kick into the right hand corner. Unbelievable.

Robbery, theft, luck. But 3 vital points.

StickyToffee Player Ratings: Howard 10, Baines 6, Distin 5, Jagielka 4, Neville 4, Arteta 5, Heitinga 5, Fellaini 4, Osman 5, Barkley 5, Anichebe 4.

Subs: Cahill 5, Bilyaletdinov 5, Beckford 3.